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journal of 

^n American prisoner 



At 



Jfort iHalbcu aub (Quebec 

in the 

^nr of 1812 



(fbiicb bii 

(r». m. 3fnirrl)il5. jr. 

Butbor cf 

"IFrom Mj! (Qnebtc *rrnp Vooli." " (BUnnings from iQucbtc' 

"^ Ttiilirulons Courting. "A uJlintrr (Tnmibnl." tic. 




prinKlt printed bt 
tznnk OCnrrrl. limitti). CQurbtc 

1900 



''7?-f^ 



200 Copies privately ^rtnteJ>. 
Cop? 1Klo._5..8 



■RegletCreS by G. M. Fairchidd, Jr., in the Of/ice of the 
Minister of Agriculture in conformity with the Law 
passed by the Parliament of Canada, in the year 1906. 



ducbtc, 1909: — Ube fflailj Uelegrapb printing Co. 



Cxplanatorp j^ote 

The book containiiuj this journal is un ordinary pocket 
memorandum or account booh measuring 6 x 4\ inches and 
covered with split calf. The journal opens the day of the 
author's capture, and closes on the day he receives orders at 
Quebec to prepare to leave for Boston. The author s name is 
nowhere to be found in the book, and several pages at the 
beginning have been cut out, evidently by the origi7ial owner. 
The journal was found among the papers of the late J. Gradden, 
a benevolent merchant of Quebec who rendered considerable aid 
to the American prisoners of war confined there on prison 
ships. The journal was no doubt presented to Mr. Gradden 
by Us autlwr as a return for kindnesses. Mr. Gradden s son, 
t}ie late Chas. Gradden of Kilmarnock, gave if to Sir James 
.M . LeMoine, tJie venerable Historian of Quebec, who in turn 
presented it to me with the understanding that I would edit 
and jmnt it. 

Although the aidho/s name is not attached to the journal 
it bears unmi.itakable evidence of having been -written by Sur- 
geon s Mate James Reynolds wfio was deputed by Surgeon 
General Edwards of Gen. Hull's army to the charge of the 
sick on Oie two vessels tluit were dispatched from Maumee to 



PAOE THREE 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

Detroit, but which were captured at Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) 
by the British. Lossing, in his " Pictorial Field Book of 
the war of 1812 " says that the sclwoner conveying the sick in 
charge of Reynolds escaped and reached Detroit, and that the 
Dr. Reynold's of this expedition was killed at the attack on 
Detroit by a cannon ball. There is a mistake someivhere as 
the author of this journal says that he loas in charge of the 
Cugahoga conveying the sick, and that the accompanying 
schooner carried the stores, and that both vessels were captured 
at Maiden. Could it be that there were two Reynolds, one the 
Surgeon s Mate and the other the Dr. Reynolds that Lossing 
refers to as Jiaving been killed, and hence the confusion ? 
/ am inclined to this view in the absence of convincing proof 
to the contrary. The journal itself is strongly corroborative 
of my contention as the weight of evidence is with the writer 
whose story is everywhere the simple straightforward one of 
the daily chronicler of the events that came under Jiis observa- 
tion. It is a very human document and not without historical 
value. It will take its place in the Archives of the war of 
1812 on the Frontiers. 

G. M. Fairchild, Jr., 

Editor. 

Note. — 0?i a blank page in the book I find written in 
pencil in the author's handtvriting, Sergt. Ord. Reed, Dougherty, 
Jowlen, Madison, Printiss, Button, Noble — Emetic {The 
author had evidently dosed them all). 

PAGE FOUR 



|[^istoricali2ote 

AniiciiKifing the formal declaration of war President 
Madison of the United States during the winter of 1811-li2 
commissioned Gov. ]Vm. Hull of the Territory of Michigan 
as a Brigadier General to command the Ohio and Michigan 
troops at Detroit, with the understanding that immediately 
M/x)n the announcement of war he was to invade all that part 
of Canada contiguous to Detroit. On June 'iilh. 181-2, Gen. 
Hull with several thousand troops had arrived at Fort Findlay. 
Here he received despatches from Washington to hasten his 
forces to Detroit and there airait further orders. When the 
troops arrived at the navigable waters on the Maumee (or Mi- 
ami) Hull determined to relieve his tired men of as much 
baggage as possible by dispatching it by water. Accordingly 
a considerable portion of the stores and intrenching tools. 
Hulls and his staff's personal baggage, and the trunk co/itain- 
ing Hull's ijistructions and the muster rolls of the army together 
with other valuable papers — also three officers' wives, Lt. 
Goodwin. Lieut. Dntt iritli thirty soldiers were transferred to 
the CugaluHja packet and <ni (iiniliary schooner. Jiotli reached 
Maumee Bay where Toledo noiv stands on the evening of 
July 1st. On the morning of the 'ind of J nly the Cuyahoga 



V sit Z !• I V K 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

and the schooner entered the Detroit River and while sailing 
past Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) the British armed vessel 
Hunter went alongside of the Cuyahoga, and vessel and cargo 
became a prize, while the crew, troops and passengers were 
declared prisoners of war. Lossing says that the auxiliary 
schooner bearing the invalids, being behind the Cuyahoga, 
escaped and reached Detroit next day. The auilwr of the 
journal says that this auxiliary vessel which contained only 
the stores was also captured later in the day and brought in 
under the guns of Fort Maiden. Col. St. George, the com- 
mander at Fort Maiden, had received the news of the declaration 
of war on the 30th of June, while Gen. Hull only received it 
on the 2nd of July when he immediately despatched an officer 
to the mouth of the Raisen to intercept the two vessels, but he 
arrived too late. In the capture of these two vessels valuable 
stores and yet more valuable hi^ormation fell into the hands 
of the British. The journal of the Surgeon s Mate begins 
July 1st and some of the events that lead to the final surrender 
of Detroit and the forces under Gen. Hull's command are 
recorded in the jour7ial from such observations as were possible 
to a prisoner on a vessel, and from stray information. The 
journey from Maiden to Quebec is recounted and the subsequent 
imprisonment there on a ship in the harbor until he with 
others were sent to Boston for exchange. 



PAGE SIX 



journal of an Smeiican ^lis^ouer 

at Jfort i^laltJcn anb (QucIjcc 
in tlje imav of 1812 

July Ist (ISH). — After n lon^' and tedious march I 
with tlu' sick, went on Ijoani the Caryaorgo ' packet at 
Maunie, a little town on the Maume River'. Doctor 
Edwards Surgeon General of the North Wertern Army gave 
me charge of the Hospital stores and sick to go by water 
to Detroit. We sailed about 4 p.m. and had a gentle 
breeze the afternoon. At sunset the wind died away and 
we ancored for the night ' and about 4 o'clock in the morning 
the wind rose and we weighed ancor and with a fair wind 
entered Lake Erie all in to good spirits to think we should 
be at Detroit by S o'clock in the afternoon. To our sur- 
prise just as we were about to enter Detroit River we saw 
a boat that hailed us and ordered the Captain to lower 
his sails^ Our arms were all in the hole (hold) and the 



1. — Cuyahoga. Cayahogo according to Kingtford. 

2. — Maumet or Miami Rivtr oj the Laket to distinguish it from two others oj 
the tame name. 

3. — Maumee Bay where Toledo now stands. 

4. — Lotting says that Reynolds and his party of sick sailed from the Maumee 
in an accompanying sloop and that the latter rrachrd Detroit in najcly. 1 hit is rx-itltntly 
a mistake. The tloop, or as Reynolds calls it schooner was also captund and U uxis 
this schooner that contained the stores. 

PAor HKvr.s 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

men sick. I thought it improper to make any resistance 
as I had not been informed that war was declared ' and had 
not had orders from the Genl. to make any resistence. 
Lt. Goodwin and 2nd Master Beatt and Mr. Dent pay- 
master to the 3rd Regt. Ohio Vlts. and three ladies and 
two soldiers wifes making in the whole forty-five in number 
and not more than six well persons among them it must 
have been imprudent in the highest degree to have attempted 
to resisted a boat of eight well armed men andaCapt. , and 
another of 5 men who demanded us as prisoners of war 
and we were nearly under the cover of the guns at Ft. 
Maiden, soever we gave ourselves up and was taken into 
Maiden and our property was all stored in the hole (hold) 
and hatches nailed immediately and we were taken along- 
side a prison ship. The next morning about X o'clock our 
Schooner was^ taken and all our effects even to a blanket. 
The Doctor came on board to see some of the sick and I 
asked him for knapsacks and blankets for the men which 
were returned immediately and the cloths of the officers 
and men on board. 

3rd.— The day past with Mallone holey (wholly) the 
men sick and despond, nothing pleasing appeard. 



1. — News of the declaration of war had been received by Col. St. George in com- 
mand at Fort Maiden as early as June ZQth, 1812. 

2. — This schooner contained Gen. Hull's despatch box and a great quantity oj 
stores jor his army. The despatches put the English in possession of valuable injorma- 
ticn as to Hull's forces, etc. 

PAGE EIGHT 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN 1' R I S N E R 

■tth. — We were surroundecl with Savages singinj; and 
danciu"- their war ihiiut'> throui/h the town". () heavens 
what a glory Sun for independence can any person discribe 
the feeling of a free born subject to see the Savages dancing 
their war dance and hooting about tlie town and to l)e 
confined when we knew they were |)rei)aring (to) iiuirder 
our fellow creatures anil not only the sohliers but the 
helpless women and children. These horrible and dis- 
picable seens closed the day and Sol returned to his rest. 

5th. — Some gentlemen' from our (side) came from 
Detroit with a flag of truce and brought news that our army 
had arrived their safe and that the men were in tolerable 
health and spirits but we could not see them without a 
British being present. We sent some papers to Detroit 
after having them examined (by) an officer (of) the Part 
we would expect for prisoners ^ 

6th. — We were provided with tolerable rations, and 
nothing happened through the day. 

7th. — Nothing especial happened through the day, but 
all the (men) were making preparations for war. 



1. — AmhertlbuTij near uhich stood Fort Maiden. 

2. — On the morning oj the Gth Col. Caxs ua« sent to Maiden u-ith a llaij oj truce 
to demand the baggage and prisoners taken jrom the schooner. The demand uas unheided 
and ht returned to camp xrith ('apt. Hurbanks o/ the Urituh Army. M'Akf.e. 

3.— A/r. HejfTiotds wrote by this means and this may hare led to the belitf that 
Kt and his party oj invalid soldiers had reached Detroit in nalcty on the schooner. 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 



9th. — Know news for prisoners. 

X. — ^Nothing extra happened in the course of the day. 

10th. — We were moved below town. Dr. Davis attends 
on our sick daily. The weather verry warm and the men 
suffer much from the heat. 

11th. — -We had a very warm day in the afternoon. 
The officers and Indians were verry busy, however we 
heard nothing' 

12th. — Sunday. The American troops crossed the 
river into Sandwich and divested the people of their arms 
and sent them to their farms. 

13th. — ^Monday. Pleasant and cool. Nothing extra 
happened. 

14th. — Tuesday. Nothing worthy of notice. 

loth. — Wensday, healthy weather. People was moving 
very much in town and considerable blustor. 



1. — On the 12th Hull crossed his army to Sandu-ith oj which he took possession. 
The jew British troops stationed here retired to Fort Maiden. Col. Miller oj the Amer- 
ican army in a letter to his wije says : " As we were crossing the river we saw two 
British ofjicers ride up very jast opposite where we intended landing, but they went 
back jaster than they came. They were Col. St. George, commanding officer at Maiden, 
and one oj his Captains." 

PAGE TEN 



JOURS A L OF AS AMERICAS PRISONER 



Kith. —Thursday. Pleasant and cool. Capt. Brown ' 
came to town with a flag of truce on and (what) express 
news we knew not, but could judge by the movements. 
Two topsail vessels were sent out of the river and the people 
were moving out of the town at night. 

17th. —Friday. The Indians' were flocking into town 
all the morning armed and painted black. A lousifer with 
their arms and the town was in an uproar. It aj)peared by 
ten o'clock that almost every person had left the town. 
About five o'clock the Savages began to return into town 
hollowing and i)arekin and firing all around our vesscll, 
anfl to crown the whole they had one of our men's scalp 
stretched on a pole as they past by us to aggrevate us in 
a helpless state and wound the feelings of prisoners. These 
Indians' were headed by a i)ritish subject. Is it possible 
that their can be so much corruption in the British Govern- 
ment. They are void of feelings and in fact are as bad as 
the savages them.selves for they carry on their intrigues 
under the pretence that they cannot govern the Indians, 



I.— Probably »mi by Gen. Hull to announce to Col. St. George of hit (Gen. Hull't) 
intention to attack Fort Maiden and to adi-ite the removal jrom the toun oj the non- 
combattants . 

2. — There inert frequent and small engagements between the American outposts 
and the Indians on the British side. Scalping the dead was practised by both Indian 
and the jrontirrs men on both sides. 

3. — The Indians were almost invariably commanded or led by their own chiefs, 
but oft'times under the direction of an English officer. 

PAGE ELCVCS 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 



and in fact they themselves are personally at their head 
and give them their instructions. God deliver me from 
monarch's gag laws and all their subjects' for free I was 
born and free I'll die or by the sword shall we live like bruts 
and worse, glory in each other's fall and more than that 
confine our fellow creatures and tantalize them by the 
blood of our fellow mortals. What will man do when left 
to himself. But thanks be to God this (is) about the last 
act of bravery you can show you are on your last legs. 
The crown will loose another jewil and savage yell dispersed 
and harmony fill the land. The eagle here shall build her 
nest and every subject shall be at peice '. 

18th. — Pleasant. All things peccable through (the) 
day. About X o'clock in the evening their was an alarm' 
and the prisoners, sick and well, were all ordered in to the 
hole (hold) together and what a disagreeable (night) it was 
to have forty men half sick all stowed together and some 
had to stand all night. 



1. — On the 16th Col. Cass of the Americnn Army with a force of about 280 nun 
pushed forward to the Ta-ron-tee or Riviere avx Canards about four miles above Maiden 
and engaged the British outpost guarding the bridge across the river. The British and 
Indians fled and were pursued by the Americans. Night put an end to the engagement 
and the Americans returned to the bridge. Hull however retired the force to Sandwich 
as he said the position was untenable with so small a force. 

2. — The autlior somewhat mixes himself in his rhapsody. 

3. — On the 18th Capt. Snelling of the American Army and a small detachment 
left Sandxmch on a reconnoitring expedition towards Maiden. 

PAGE TWELVE 



JOURNAL OF A\ AM ERIC AN PRISONER 



19th.- Sunday. Warm and niufigy weather. Tlieir 
was considerate movement, tho Indiims aj^ain pa.st armed 
ami about '^ [).m. we heard firinj; towards Sands\ ii h '. 'I'he 
Savages returned about dark in not so good spirits as usual 
and this led us to suppose their success had not been so 
good as they could wish. About 8 in the evening their 
came a party (of) Savages iiy an<l fired several times near 
us and struck up their war hoop. 

•20 th. —Monday. To day the Indians past by armed 
as usual, they returned about sun.set some verry much 
fatigue<l. We were informed that the Indians and some 
of the militia had a Scirmish with .some of our troops 
yesterday. 

21st.— Tuesday. Cloudy and rain. Nothing extra 
occurred. 

-i'ind. — Wednesday. Everything still. Nothing extra 
occurred. 

23rd.^Thursdav. Cold for the season and some rain. 



I. — On the \Hth July Gen Hull issued an ordfT jot a general morenxent on 
Fort Maiden, f'nl. McArthur with a delaehmeni oj his rryimenl jmned Capl. Snetling 
on the \9lh fit Petite Cote about a mile abnvr the Aux Canards Bridge. A general 
ikirmish ensued irith the Indians under enmmand oj Terumsrh and Mr Arthur iias 
eomftUtd to fall back. He tent /or rrinloreemenls and Col. Cass hastened to his aid 
wUh a HI pounder, but ajter another short engagement with the Indians and the English 
supports that had been hastened to their assistance the American forces returned to 
Handicieh. 

PAor THIKTCr. M 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

24th. — Friday '. Cold and pleasant for the season. 
I was ordered to the King's Stores in order to give informa- 
tion about the hospital stores. Everything peciable. 

25th. — Saterday. Pleasant. Nothing worth mention- 
ing through the day. The Indians went out as usual and 
returned in the evening and are now partickular morn (ful). 

26th. — Sunday. Nothing extraordinary. 

27th. — IVIonday. We had three prisoners brought on 
board our vessel one of which was from our army. We 
rec'd him with joy, and he thought the army would be down 
in a week. 

28th. — Tuesday. Pleasant. Nothing happened extra 
through the day. All past peceable. 

29th. — W^ensday. The Indians killed a man and his 
servants and took a boat loaded with goods and two bbls 
whiskey, got drunk and raised the divil all knight. 

30th. — Thursday. Pleasant. Nothing extra. 

31st. — Friday. Cloudy and rainy. The officers ' were 



1. — For some reason or other Reynolds makes no mention here oj the engagement 
oj the 24th, when Major Denny and a considerable force of Americans were engaged 
with some Indians and retreated in considerable confusion pusrued by the Indians. 
Denny lost six killed and two wounded. This was the first blood shed in the war. 

2. — The captive American officers are probably meant. 

PAGE FOURTEEN 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 



ordered on hoard tlie Lady Provost to go to Niagary. 
Nothing further happened through the day. 

August 1st.— Saterday. Tleasanl. Nothing worth 
recording. 

^nd. — Sunday. Cloudy. Nothing extra, the Indians 
commence (to cross to) Brownstow n witli Britishs and 
officers. 

3rd.— Monday '. Pleasant. The sohliers and Indians 
crossed to Brown's town twelves boats loailed. 1 sliould 
judge about -iUO in numbers. 1 cannot tell tlieir Inisiness. 

-Ith.— Tuesday. Pleasant, 'i'he troops and Indians 
crossed the river as yestirday and returned about eight 
o'clock in the evening. 

5th. — Wensday '. Plesent. The Inilians crossed the 
river about 11 o'clock and the people appeared very much 
ullarmed. A party of them returned about sunset but the 



1 — Col. Proctor icho now commanded at Amherstiurg or Maiden detached the 
Indians under Tecumseh acrots the Detroit Hirer to intercept u convoy that Major 
VanUornt and a force oj A mericane had been tnit to eajcly conduct vithin the A nunian 
line*. 

2.~4}n thin day the Indiana under Tecuntfeh badly dejeatcd Major VanHome't 
force oj Americaru near lirounttou-n and the laltir retreated \n gnat dttordtr. The 
mail fell into the hand* of the British and revealed the mutinous spirit in Hull's amiy 
tn (Ail tngagemeni urtnteen of the American* urere hilled and eight u-ounded. 

PAOC I'irTCKN 



JOURNAL OF AN AM ERIC AN PRISONER 

boats had few in them. Their was six guns fired about 
1 1 o'clock at Browns Town. 

6th. — Thursday. Pleasant. Nothing in particular. 

7th. — Friday. Pleasant. Capt. Olds and Ensign Elison 
came on board and informed us that two hundred militia 
ran from forty Indians and several of our men was taken. 
God save the ignorant for they cannot take care of them- 
selves. 

8th. — Saterday. Pleasant. The Schooner or brig Rl° 
from Fort Erie with about fifty or sixty '. Nothing further 
worth recording. 

No news from the army. 

9th. — Sunday ^ The little brig. Hunter ret'd this 
morning from Fort Erie. The people seemed to be in 

considerable motion about tewlve o'clock and we heard 

about sunset that their was an engagement on the other 

side of the river. Considerable motion in the evening. 

10th. — ^JVIonday. Rainy in the morning. We herd in 
the morning that they had a hard battle at Browns Town 



1. — ReinjoTce merits of the 41si Regt, under Lt. Bullock. 

2. — The battle oj Maguaga where Col. Miller in command oj a force of Americans 
defeated the British and Indians and drove them to their boats whence they relumed to 
Maiden. The advantages of this victory were not followed vp for the relief of Brush 
on his way to Detroit with a convoy of supplies for Hull's army. 

PAGE SIXTEEN 



JOURNAL OF A .V .1 M E H 1 C A .V /' li I S U S E H 

and the Americans raentained their <;rouiiil. Sivt'iiil kilUci 
and wounded on both sides. We were likewise informed 
that they intendeil to liave another battle this ihiy '. 

1 Ith. —Continued showers of rain. About J o'elock we 
herd a eontinual Hring near Browns Town whieh continued 
about one hour and a haU' and from the nois tlie American 
army drove the Indians and British '. The Schooner 
Chipowav came from Lk. Erie with one company of red 
coats. 

Hth.— Monday. No rain. A htlle cloud v. The British 
moved their army — moved troni B t Browns) Town a ntl it 
ap})eared that the Indians had all come to this town and 
left Browns Town. 

l:Uh.— ^Tliursday . IMeasant. The people had all left 
the town. Not much moving until evening. The Indians 
began their war dance and commenced firing about daily 
daun and a hot (boat) entere<l the river about fifty in number 
and the I>. dis't. C. A. ijall that evening herd both by the 
Indians and white people. 



1. — Shirmuhing occurred for ttvtral days after the main engagement oj the \Olh. 

2. — Ma)or Muir and hit tuballem Sutherland of the liritith lorcen icere both 
uvundtd. The lomet and canaltie» on the American tide tcere rery heai-y. 

3. — 6>n. Hrock joined Cot. Proctor at Maiden (Amherttburg) on the night o/ 
tkt \3th urilk thret hundred militia and a for rrgulart 

rAUC IIKVCNTCES 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 



14th. — Friday '. Pleasant. After (noon) made the 
detail for the 13 th. Their was five boats came up loaded 
with soldiers, and five more this morning loaded with from 
12 to 20 men in each making in the whole about 170 men. 
Another boat arrived about eleven o'clock — 20 men in it, 
and the new soldiers all appeared to leave the town about 
sunset. 

15th. — Saterday. Foggy. The drums beat to army 
about sunrise and the troops were all in motion or at least 
all that were left. The citizens all entered boats for Detroit, 
as I am told. The Indians went by in boats. By land 
about 300. About sunset the Cannon began to roar at 
Sandwich ^ 

16th. — Sunday. Pleasant weather but unpleasant news 
we herd about noon that Hull had given up Detroit and the 
whole Territory Mitchigan. The Indians began to return 
about sunset well mounted and some with horses and chais. 
Who can express the feelings of a person who knows that 
Hull had men enough to have this place three times and 



1. — Gen. Brock marched that day unth the forces under his command and took 
possession oj Sandwich which had been abandoned by the Americans. 

2. — About 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the 15th, a general cannonading began 
between the British at Sandtinth and the Ameru:ans at Detroit. Considerable damage 
was done by the British artillery and several American officers were killed. Two guns 
on the British side were silenced by the American artillerists. 

PAGE EIGHTEEN 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 



gave up liis post. Shame to him, shame to his country, 
shame to the world. When Hull first eame to Detroit the 
4th I'. S. Hef^'t. woulfi have taken Maiden and he with his 
great generalship has lost about '200 men and his Territory '. 

Can he be forgiven when he had command of an army 
of about ^500 men besides the Regulars and Militia of his 
Territorv and given up to about 400 regular troops and 
Militia and about 700 Indians. 

17th. -Monday. Clouday. The news of yesterday 
was confirmed. The Indians were riding our horses and 
hollowing and shouting the whole day. 

ISlh. The Prov()31arshal ' eame on board and wanted 
a list of the Regular Troops, and told us that the Regular 
Troops 1 were prisoners of war and the militia had liberty 
to go home. We were taken from the Schooner Thames 
and put into a little Schooner but every attention paid us 
that was possible. In the evening we were ordered on 



l—I)urint; thr night tht BrUifh lorcm crossed lo Ihf DetroU side oj the river 
and prepared jnr an atsault on the tou-n. The gunx al Sandirieh opening a heavy 
rannnnading and their range was so accurate that many Anirrtcnns iirre slain. Dr. 
Reynolds who it is supposed accompanied Hull's inialids from the Staunifc to IMrott 
<ras irutanlly kiiled. Gen. Hull early decided lo cajiilulatt. 

2 —fly the terms of the surrender the American Militia vrre paroled and 
alUncen to return lo their homes, but the regulars were declared to be jnitonrrs of uar 
and were tent on board the prison sJiipi. 

3.— Mostly the Uh Regt. of Regulars. 



P A C N I S C T E C N 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

board the Elinor. Their was a detachment of prisoners 
joined us. 

19th. — -Wensday. Pleasant. I got provisions and medi- 
cines on board. The other vessels came from Detroit. 
Nothing exti'aordinary through the day. 

20th. — Thursday. Rainy. Unpleasant on board. The 
militia left the river. 

21st. — Friday. We drifted out of the river into the 
Lake. Capt. Brown and Ensign PhilHps came on board. 

22nd. — Saterday. Clouday but no rain. We sailed to 
the Three Sisters and lay to for the Sharlott ', and about 
12 o'clock we came to ancor. 

23rd. — Sunday. Pleasant and warm. No wind. Several 
sick on bord but none dangerous. The wounded are in a 
good way. About sunset the wind rose and we weighed 
ancor. 

24th. — ^Monday. Pleasant. Fair wind. We made good 
headway. Nothing extra. 

25th. — Tuesday. Pleasant. Good wind. 

26th. — Wensday. Pleasant. We arrived at Fort Nia- 



1. — The Queen Charlotte and Hunter were also detailed to convey some of the 
prisoners of war including Gen. Hull and other officers, to Fort Erie opposite Buffalo. 



PAGE TWENTY 



JOUR X AL OF A N AM ERIC A S P Rl SO N E R 



gary ' and was put on shore where we found wagons ready 
for the transportation of our l)a','<faf;e and about VI o'clock 
we proceeded on our way to Chippawa where we stayed 
the nijjht. 

27th. — Thursday. Pleasant. We proceeded on our 
march from Chippawa to Fort Cieorge '. We pased through 
Queenstown and opposite to the town was two or three 
hundred American Troops was stationed. We past by 
Niagary VaWs. We arrived at Fort (leorge about 5 o'clock 
p.m. and staved in the river all night and we are very nuich 
crowded. 

'iSth.— Friday. Pleasant. We had a fair wind for 
King's Town (Kingston) which was our next place of 
destination. We weiglied ancor about "i o'clock and had 
pleasant sail through the day and niglit. 

"29th. — Saterday. — Pleasant. We hove in sight of 
King's Town (Kingston) about 7 o'clock a.m. Cast ancor 
about 9 o'clock and was landed on an Island near Kingston. 
About .5 p.m. I was ordered to take charge of the siik and 
wouHfled. 

30th. — Sundav. Plea.sant but cool for the season. The 



1. — TKe writer eridently truant Fort t-rxe at the entrance to the Siagara Hirrr. 
2. — Fart George directly oppotite Fort Siagara which wa» on American 
territory and garritoned by American troop*. 



I o Ej^T w 



E S T T - O .N B 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

sick were visited by the Doctor about eleven o'clock. Three 
of the sick were taken to Kingston hospital, the other 40 
sick and wounded were left in my charge. 

31st. — ^Monday. Pleasant. A detachment of 400 men 
arrived here from Montreal for Detroit. 2 men deserted 
last evening. The sick are better. The officers treat us 
very kindly and we are well provided for for people in our 
situation. 

Sept. 1st.— Tuesday. Pleasant. We left Kingston' 
about 4 o'clock p.m. for Montreal. We went 18 miles in 
the evening. 

2nd. — Wensday. Pleasant. We started nearly with 
the sun and past the Thousand Islands and our first stop 
Elizabeth Town on the St. Lawrence opposite. After 
staying about half an hour we proceeded down the river. 
Very good wind and past several handsome towns on each 
side of the river. The Sun above an hour high we past 
about five hundred of our troops stationed on the bank of 
the river at Sagrota and stopped at Johns Town. 

3rd. — Thursday. Pleasant. We started nearly with 
the sun and stopped about 9 o'clock about half an hour. 
Proceeded to Cornwall where we stayed through the knight. 



1. — The British escort from Kingston was commanded by Major Heathcote of 
the Nova Scotia Regt. 



PAGE TWENTY-TWO 



JOU RN AL OF A.\ AM E HI C A\ PRISONER 

We past several line towns on both sides of tlie river. 
Ilunileton is a line tow n on the American side. 

4tli. "Kriday. ("louday and told east wind. We 
slaye<l at Cornwall ' all this day as we had a head wind. 
The men remained in the gaol yard and fought several 
times anil in fait played hell all day. 

5th. — Saturday. Pleasant, head wind, however we 
proceeded on our journey and have about thirty sick. We 
stayed at Point Biirdet. 

6th. — Sunday. Pleasant. We started about orlcok 
and stopped at Lachein ami the well men were marched to 
Montreal by land. The sick went in boats by water where 
we arrived about 7 in the evening and was marched to the 
(iarri-son '. 



1. — From Comtrall to Lachine the BrxlUh escort uas in command oj Capta\n 
(iray of the Quarter Matter General's DejA. From Lachine to Montreal Captains 
Hiehardnon and Ogilrie with three militia comjnnies, and a cumjxivy oj the Mi Hegt. 
commanded by Cap!. Blackmore formed an escort. 

2. — The line of march in Montreal vas as follows : 

\st. The Sth Regt. Hand. 

2nd. The first escort divisicm. 

3rd. Gen. Hull and ('apt. Gray in a carriage. 

ilh The American Officers. 

Uh. The non-coms, and soldiers. 

iilh The second escort division. 

rknt T W E N T T - T H H « E 



JOURNAL OF AN AM ERIC AN PRISONER 

7th. — Monday. Pleasant. We stayed at the Garrison 
through the day and four of the sick sent to the King's 
Hospital which reduced my number to about 30. 

8th. — Tuesday. Pleasant. We left Montreal about 
10 A.M. and descended the St. Lawrence. We had a 
pleasant prospect on both sides of the river handsome 
meadows and fine farms and several handsome towns. We 
stopped at Sorril (Sorel) and wei-e marched from the boats 
to a room where we were all put into a room together and 
locked up and not a man allowed to get a drink of water 
nor allowed to leave the room on any occasion. The men 
were obliged to comply with natures requests in the room 
where we all lay, and we suffered verry much all knight. 

9th. — Pleasant. The British officers that came with 
us when informed of our treatment was very much offended 
and told the officers of the 100th. regiment. We started 
about 9 o'clock A.M. with a fair wind and arrived late at 
St. Francis and stopped at Three Rivers about two hours 
and then went about two miles down the river and camped 
for the knight. 

10th. — Thursday. Pleasant. Head winds we started 
the sun about one hour high, and spent the day pretty 



3. — Gen. Hull was paroled at Montreal with 8 other officers and lejt the city 
for the United States. 



PAGE TWENTY -FOUR 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 



much in par;nliiii,' llu' huats. Wo stopped at tlic Tliiee 
Sisters for the night. 

11 til. — Friday '. IMea.sant. We stayed for the tide to 
eonie in. Started about ten oeloek ami deseentled the river 
rapidly with the tide and arrived at Quebec about sunset 
and was put on l)oril one of the transports for the night. 

l-iih. — Saturday. Cloudy and rainy in the afternoon. 
.\11 in confusion, the prisoners very troublesome, however 
1 hope this is not for life. 

13th. — Sunday. Clouday. The proceedings verry much 
as yesterday, our oHicer> in town and do not visit us, the 
reason why I know not why. We are guarded this day. 
Parroled prisoners from the States. Nothing extra. 

14th. — Mondav. Cloudav. Our rations were bread 



1. — The Ofjicerii and regular troops of the Amenrun Army takai at Detroit 
and trkifh knre no permitrion to return on their parole arrired at Anse des Merea 
Friday afternoon e»eorted by a detachment oj the Rtgt. oj Glrnyary of Three River». 
The pn»vner», tnth the tzceptitm oj the ofjicere were immediately embarked in hoatg 
lor Ike trantporti. The officers urere lodged in the city for the night and the following 
day were rondudrd to CharUnbourg where they u-Ul be domiciled on parole. — QuEUEr 

flAZETTE 

The Quettec Mercury of Sept. l.'ith says : The commijuiioned officers irerr lilt- 
erated on their parole. They passed Saturday morning at the Union Hotel trhere they 
ifert the gating stock of the multitude, whilst they in no way abashed presented a bold 
front to the public stare, puffed the smoke of tlwir cigars into the faces of such as 
approached too near. About 2 o'clock they sit off by stage u-ilh four horses fur 
Charltsboury the destimd place of their rendence. 

P*Ot TWENTT-riVK 



\ 



» 



( 



\ 



JOURNAL OF AN AM ERIC AN PRISONER 

that would crawl with worms, in fact our fare is hard and 
unwholesome, half the men sick with the diarrie. No news 
of any better times. 

15th. — Tuesday. Pleasant. I gave five men emetic 
and 3 carthartic. Our provisions better than yesterday. 
No news, the men are something better. 

16th. — Wensday. Pleasant. Our sick were taken from 
our vessel. We had several good things for our vituals, 
rice, oatmeal and this plenty. This is called banyan day. 
The surgeon came on board our vessel and ordered men and 
me on bord the brig 160 transport. 

17th. — Thursday. Pleasant. I proceeded to give the 
men medicine and gave them gruel and they appeared verry 
much better at night. We had twelve women on board 
and some worse than the devil — they quarreled like cats 
and dogs and in fact I had to make use of rash (harsh) 
means in order for to live. 

18th. — Friday. Pleasant. The men generally better 
with one or two exceptions. The women in better nature 
than yesterday. Nothing extra happened through the day. 

19th. — Saterday. Pleasant, nothing particular through 
the day. 

20th. — Sunday. Cold and windy. The men not so 
well. 

PAGE TWENTY-8IX 



JOURNAL OF AN A .\f E R I C A N PRISONER 



2i9t. — Monday. Pleasant. The men no better and no 
Doct. to see tlu'in and no medicine, no j)lii.sition attended us, 
the time ihil)ioii.>< an<l ihc iihmi down hearted — not verry 
good accommodation. 

iiml. —Tuesday. Clouday and some rain in the morn- 
ing. Many of the men verry low, l.ut vcriy little refre.sh- 
ment fur the sick. Thirteen more sick came on hoard 
which augmented the sick to 54. 

23rd. — Wensday. Pleasant. The men that came on 
board yesterday are better after being phisiced. Nothing 
new. 

-2H\i. Thursday. Clouday. The men generally better 
17 men were sent from our ship to those where the main 
Regt. lav. Nothing further worth attention. 

4.5th. -Friday. Pleasant. Two sick men sent on lioard 
our ship which made our number 40. James Dutfer died 
at 4 o'clock p.m. with Hectic fever. Many of the men are 
very low. Bellcw and Collins were sent to our .ship which 
augments our number to H men. 

'^(ith. Satciilav. ( l(iuda\. McDntV ' was buried at 
ten o'clock. Sergt. Traig and Corp. WCntw.irtii. M( liilosh 
went on shore to attend the funeril. lb- was decently 



I. — TKt man pTt\iouiily relerrtd to at Ihifftr. 
r A « K r w r. N T T - H K V F. s 






JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

intered. The English people here are decent, friendlay and 
humane 

27th. — Sunday. Pleasant. The men are something 
better. Nothing happened through the day. 

28th. — ^Monday. Pleasant but cold for the season. 
The men better, the women cross etc. The Surgeon came 
on bord. 

29th. — Tuesday. Nothing worth recording. 

30th. — Wensday. Pleasant. The Doct. came on bord. 
Nothing other worth recording. Good weather but cold 
for the season. 

Oct. 1st. — Thursday. Pleasant. Sergt. Maj. Huggins 
and two men all sick came on bord our vessel and I sent 
(away) three well men in their room (place). The three 
men that came on bord were verry sick. 

2nd. — Friday. Clouday. The men something better. 
The Surgeon did not call to see us. 

3rd. — Saturday. Clouday and rainy. Corp. Perries 



1. — Commisary General's Office. 

Quebec 28 Sept. 1812. 

Wanted for the American prisoners of uar comfortable uarm clothing consisting 
of the following articles viz : Jackets, shirts, troii-'ers. tlockings mockesfons or shoes — 
also 2000 /6s of soap. They will reqiiire to be delivered immediately . 

PAGE TWENTY -EIGHT 



JOURNAL OF A .\ A M ERI C A X P RI S OXER 

child (lied this morning about (hiy t)rake and was buried 
(at) 4 o'clock [I. III. Mrs. Andrews ha.s been in traviiil ever 
since early this morning. 

4th. — Sunday. Rainy. Mrs. Andrews was delivered 
of a fine boy after '24 hours labor. The men not much 
better. 

.5th. —Monday, ("louday. I visited all the jjrison ships 
in the harlior and took 4 men on bonl our vessel. The sick 
verry low 

6th.— Tuesday. Cold. Sergt. Stoner's child died this 
morning. The men verry low, many of them. For the 
first time I had to lay violent hands on Mrs. Critchet and 
the first time I ever saw her made to hold her tongue. 
Women deprived of decency are the damdest creatures that 
ever were borned. 

7th. — Wen.sday. Could and sfpiaUvs of snow. The 
guard came to bury Sergt. Stoner's child. I visited all the 
pri.son ships in the Harbor and gave medicine to the sick. 
We had some sugar, rice, and barley scut for the sick and 
some other refreshments was .sent on liord. 

8th. — Thursday. Cold and rain. They brought 7 men 
sick from i to (i i o'clock i and we returned five. About 
nf)thing further. 

TAflC TWESTY-NI.VE 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

9th. — Friday. Cold for the season. Corp. Berries child 
died about three o'clock this morning. The men are some- 
thing better. I visited all the prison ships in the harbor. 
Corp. Perries child was buried this afternoon. Three men 
came from No. 85 — three returned to No. 85 and three 
to 406. (Transports and prison ships). 

10th. — Saterday. Clouday. Three men that was sent 
to No. 406 came on bord this morning and we returned 
them immediately. We drawed fresh bread for the first 
time. Nothing further. 

11th. — Sunday. Clouday and cold. I visited all the 
prison ships in the harbor. The women were all ordered 
from our ship, accordingly they all went, but four who had 
sick children and one lately layed in (confined). We had 
snow this evening and rain. We had a fresh surply of stores. 

12th. — ^Monday. Clouday and cold. The sail covered 
with snow. Joseph Quil's child died at 12 o'clock this 
morning and Saml. Lewis died at half past 12 o'clock. The 
Surgeon came on bord at 9 o'clock. The men something 
better. I took from Morgan his scrotum and left the 
testicles entirely naked. 

13th. — Violent storm of snow but not cold. The people 
on bord better except Ingalls and McMaster. We had 3 
men from 406 and returned two. 



PAGE THIRTY 



JOU R\ A L F A S A M E RIC A S I' H I S .V E R 

14th. — Wensday. Tlie storm continues. Wires child 
ilit'd at -— o'clock. Four men rcceivcii and 6 discharged. 
Ingals child died at 1 o'clock this afternoon. The times 
are serious and the les.sons striking. 

15th. — ^Thursday. Clouday and warm. John McMaster 
died at halt' [)a>t three o'clock this morning. Henry Pluck 

died at halt" j)a>f K' o"( lock this evening. 

Kith. -Friday. Cold and clouday. A Surgeon came 
on liord. A Mister (minister) of the Church of England 
came on board and baptised Ingalls. 

17th. — Saterday. Clouday. Wc hiiw five sick men 
from No. 40G. Discharged two, one from So, and one sent 
lo 35. Two women sent to 71 . Pluck buried this forenoon. 

18th. — Sunday. Clouday. 1 rec-eived hospital tted- 
ding and cloths iclothes) the men in genl. better e.xcept 
Ingals. 

l!)th. -Monday. I'leasant. Amos Ingals died at 5 
o'clock this morning, (i men came from 4UG and 4 returned. 
The men verry sick many of them, 44 in our number of 
sick. I ha«l a reprimand from one of the B. (British) Os. 
{Officers). 

■HH\i. — ^Tuesday. Pleasant. Ingals buried. I gave 

PAOI THIHTT-OVK 



JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 

the men some cloths (clothes) and they appear better 
generally. 

21st. — Wensday. Pleasant. Nothing particular hap- 
pened through the day. The Surgeon did not visit us. 

22nd. — Thursday. Pleasant and cold. Dennis Hager- 
man died at 2 o'clock this morning. The Surgeon came on 
bord at 10 o'clock. We rec'd five sick men — none dis- 
charged. 

23rd. — Friday. Clouday. We this day herd that we 
were destined for Boston — the men very much revived. 

24th. — Saturday. Clouday. The Surgeon came on 
bord, and Capt. Baker of our service gave me an order to 
make a minute of what would be necessary for the sick on 
Dur passage to Boston. 

25th. — Sunday. Clouday. I and the sick were ordered 

on bord the 406. The men paid -Hene the diary 

abruptly ends. 

The " Quebec Mercury " of 29th Oct. 1812 contains the following : 

" The prisoners taken at Detroit and brought down to Quebec are on l).e point 

oj emharking for Boston for the purpose of being exclianged. Five cannon are now 

lying in the Chateau Court taken at Detroit." 



PAGE THIRTY-TWO 






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